Today was a rough day. I woke up and saw my skin in the mirror and wanted to start crying. I had about 30 tiny tiny whiteheads all over my face. I washed and exfoliated with just a warm towel and then put my makeup on. Then I started crying. I never cry so this leads me to believe I'm close to my menstrual cycle. Anyways, my makeup looked terrible. My skin was bumpy, dry, flaky, my makeup didn't cover up all the redness.

I just cried and contemplated calling into work. And cried some more. And then I put more makeup on. And keep putting it on until I felt half-decent and confident enough to walk out the door. Ah, the woes of acne...

Today's Research: Great Resource for Low GI diet

http://www.lowgidiet.net/

Today's Stress Relief: Oddly enough, Work.

Today's Food:

2 c Coffee with French Vanilla Creamer (diary)

Organic Multigrain Instant Oatmeal

Yoga Blueberry Slim Tea w/ 1 Stevia packet

Organic Chicken breast in corn tortilla topped with organic home-made salsa (avocado/tomatoes/lemon/cilantro)

Bush's beans

Banana

2 c Antioxidant Yogi Tea w/ 2 packets of Stevia

Organic Broccoli, Carrots, Green Beans

Organic Watermelon

Organic nut mix

Handful of cheezits

• I'm still working on the diet. It's hard not eating breads. My favorite thing the world is a hot coffee with a bagel and cream cheese in the morning. Right now, I'm cutting white bread completely out of my diet. I already don't drink any milk/ I drink soy only.
• I'm also trying to eat veggies at least once a day. When I get paid, i will be shopping for veggies and fruits to make green smoothies.
• I am also trying to minimize processed foods, which is very hard because I love the convenience of ready made meals.

SkinCare: AM:

PCA Facial Wash

Dickson's Witch Hazel

PCA Pigment Gel

PCA Brightening Therapy

PCA ClearSkin Lotion

PCA ReBalance

PCA EyeExcellence

PM:

Facial Wash

Dickson's Witch Hazel

PCA Purify mask(scrub)

EyeExcellence

ClearSkin Lotion

ReBalance

S.A. 2% spot treat (minimal as my skin is recovering from the horrible breakout this morning)

I know what you're feeling when it comes to trying to put makeup on over acne. I can never really get it to cover well enough, and the area around it is always flaky, so I'll try to gently brush away the flakes and STILL manage to wipe off some of the makeup and then i have to redo it. It turns into such a stressful thing, I've ended up crying too. You're not alone, i promise ;o;

I know what you're feeling when it comes to trying to put makeup on over acne. I can never really get it to cover well enough, and the area around it is always flaky, so I'll try to gently brush away the flakes and STILL manage to wipe off some of the makeup and then i have to redo it. It turns into such a stressful thing, I've ended up crying too. You're not alone, i promise ;o;

Thanks. It's harder some days than others, but it's nice to know I'm not alone.

Today's felt much better and calmer and dare I say even a little happy!

FOOD LOG:

Organic Puff cereal

Soy Milk

Banana

2c Antioxidant Tea w/ 2 packets of Stevia

Two Sprout's brand veggie patties

Organic ketchup

Salad (spinach, tomatoes, carrots

1 large organic Mango

Chorizo&Egg

8c water

SKIN CARE:

PCA Face Wash

Witch Hazel

PCA A&C Synergy Serum

PCA ClearSkin

PCA ReBalance

PCA EyeExcellence

PCA 30 SPF

P.M:

Pigment Gel

PCA Brightening therapy

PCA ClearSkin

PCA ReBalance

PCA EyeExcellence

PCA S.A. 2% Spot Treat

Food goal right now: Drink 8 c water daily, eat majority of vegtables and fruit.

I'm not sure if I want to follow a low GI diet or the paleo diet; they conflict each other.

So for now I am going to try to eat minimal dairy and minimal grains. But I know I need to start experimenting and eliminating things in order to get clear.

Today's Research:

Video on top 5 foods for beautiful skin: http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/nutrition/5-foods-for-beautiful-skin.htm

1. Grapefruit

2. Sweet Potatoes

3. Almonds (handful a day)

4.Watermelon

5. Salmon (2x a week)

Anti-angiogenic foods: http://foodtocure.com/a-list-of-anti-angiogenic-foods/

a. Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Red Grapes, Oranges and Grapefruit, Lemons, Apples, Pineapples, Cherries

b. Red Wine, Green Tea

c. Lavender, Parsley, Garlic, Nutmeg, Licorice, Turmeric

d. Pumpkin, Boy Choy, kale, soy beans, artichoke, maitake mushroom, tomato,

e. Dark chocolate, sea cucumber, tuna, ginseng, olive oil, grape seed oil

Anti-inflammatory foods: http://www.chicagonow.com/clean-convenient-cuisine/2010/09/best-and-worst-top-10-most-inflammatory-and-anti-inflammatory-foods/

Good for you:

1. Wild Alaskan Salmon

2. Kelp

3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4. Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, cauliflower

5. Blueberries

6. Turmeric

7. Ginger

8. Garlic

9. Green Tea

10.Sweet Potato

Bad for you:

1. Sugar

2. Common cooking oils

3. Trans Fat

4. Dairy

5. Fed-lot Raised Meat

6. Red and Processed Meat

7. Alcohol

8. Refined Grains (white rice, white flour, white bread, pasta, pastries...)

9. Artificial Food Additives (Aspartame and MSG)

10.Fill in the blank (Sometimes, you may develop an allergy to a food and not even know it.)

Food Log: Still haven't gone shopping so I had to work with what I had

Oatmeal w/ organic nut mix

Organic Apple

Asada with pinto beans

1 tortilla

2c Ginger Peach Tea w/ 2 packets Stevia

Cheezits!

Organic Frozen dinner (chicken and pai thai)

Sprite

SkinCare AM:

Target Brand S.A. blackhead eraser wash

Dickson's Witch hazel

Midafternoon:

Target Brand S.A. blackhead eraser wash

dickson's witch hazel

P.M.

A&C Synergy Serum

PCA C-Strengthening 15%

EyeExcellence

ClearSkin Lotion

Yesterday I did pretty bad on diet and my skin reacted, on the other hand I went out and had a good time!

Food Log:

Oatmeal (flax seed)

2 c coffee with soy and 2 Stevia

Sushi wrapped in rice paper not rice

Sake, Wine, more wine!

1/2 burger including bun

Spinach Artichoke dip with chips

SkinCare: AM

Wash with target brand of blackhead easer (need to buy some wash)

Dickson's witch hazel

A&C Synergy

Skin Brightening therapy

ClearSkin Lotion

PM:

Wash with target blackhead easer

Dickson's witch hazel

Spot treatment 2% S.A.

ClearSkin Lotion

Research:

I'm going shopping today so my research is my shopping list.

Great Juice Recipes for Acne:

http://juicerecipes.com/health/conditions/juicing-for-acne/

http://multiculturalbeauty.about.com/od/Skincare/a/Juice-Recipes-For-Clear-And-Smooth-Skin.htm

Going to go shopping for a weeks worth, the plan is to add 1 juice a day while limiting grains and dairy. I decided to try the low GI diet since it's less restrictive than the Paleo Diet. I will try this for a month and see how my skin reacts...

I'd been feeling bad about myself the past 2 day, but today as I was getting ready to go grocery shopping, I only put on a small amount of makeup, and I look good. I've been told that before: I look prettier with less makeup.

I went grocery shopping today and got enough veggies & fruits to make 8 juices and also food for the week (salmon, extra veggies, nuts, chicken breast) All together, it cost $100. I don't think I could afford that every week, but if I only bought what was on sale, I think I could afford it.

I see I've gotten over 300 views, so I wanted to add that years ago my derm prescribed me Bactrim (along with retin-a) and my skin cleared up in about a month. I stopped taking the bactrim prematurely, but continued the retin-a and my acne came back. I'm not sure my skin would have stayed clear if I would have taken the whole course though. I strongly believe, diet has a major role to play in acne. I take very good care of my skin, I use quality skincare, I use clean pillow cases nightly, clean towels daily, clean makeup brushes, I've been getting facials and microdermabrasion for years now, and my skin still isn't clear. Diet is the only thing left! I just thought I'd add Bactrim cleared me up in case anyone wants to jump start their process to clear skin.

I studied psychology of health in college, and I remember my professor citing article after article about the benefits of a mostly vegetable and lean protein diet. One article about a remote village somewhere, said the number of people who had cancer for any of the other top 10 deadly diseases found in the U.S. was almost zero. They lived off fishing and vegetable/fruit plants.

Speaking of cancer.....I remember a shocking article that stated cancer patients had completely gotten rid of their cancer by adopting a vegetarian diet.

So, if a healthy diet can get rid of cancer, a deadly disease, than surely it can get rid of a few bumps on my face!

Manta of day: Focus on confidence, opportunity, solutions, optimism, and success!

Research of the day: Bactrim is a very intense antibiotic, so I looked up natural antibiotics. I got raw honey and I'll be using that instead of sugar in my tea .

http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Natural_Antibiotics___Foods_that_Work_as_Antibiotics_a979.html

Food Log:

Salad (spinach, pecans, strawberries, feta cheese, sauce made by the organic store)

Two chicken dogs with organic ketchup with breading

Handful of Almonds

Handful of trail mix ( chocolate buttons, various nuts)

Three Chocolate chips with pecan cookies

FML!!!!! I woke up with a patch of small whiteheads on my forehead and on the right side of my cheek!!! Again. And just yesterday I was feeling great about myself. This is the roller coaster called acne.

Their are a few things I'm thinking might have lead to this breakout.

Simple Lotion I put on last night. My skin feels over dry after using products so i got the simple brand moisturizer, the replenishing one. It's thick and makes my skin feel wonderful, but that's suspect #1 right now.

Also, I've been eating crappy the past two days. I had spaghetti o's with a slice of whole wheat bread the day before last, no veggies the whole day.

Then yesterday, I ate organic chocolate chip cookies with pecans and two hot dogs (chicken dogs) from the organic store with the bread on it. So maybe bread is the culprit. Yesterday was the first day I ate bread since starting this thread.

UUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

This is how I feel right now. The good news is that these kinds of breakouts usually go away quickly so hopefully I'll be looking a OK in a few days........and I started my menstrual today Wonderful!

Today's my first juice day: EXCITED!!

Food Log:

2 Coffee w/ stevia, soy milk

Oatmeal (strawberries & blackberries & organic nutmix)

Juice: Clear Up Cheer Up

2 large carrots (tops and tails removed)

1 cup of spinach (or kale)

apple (cored)

1 celery stalk

1 cup of broccoli florets

Ginger Salmon with veggies & brown rice

2 merlot

2 c women's tea w/ tsp. honey

Skincare: AM

S.A. 2% spot treat

Rebalance

PCA Spf 30

PM

S.A. 2% spot treat

Hyper pigmentation Gel

Brightening Therapy

Rebalance

eyeExcellence

I you think your putting to much chemicals on your face, Thus causing irritation.

thank you naked smurf, I've been told that before. I just don't know of an adequate skin regimen that would cleanse, tone, moisturize, and treat breakouts; I will look through threads though. Any suggestions?

OK, so I purchases raw unrefined coconut oil and let me tell you it is AWESOME!! I have oily, thick, and congested skin so those that think oil will mess you skin up even more don't be deterred from trying this. I've been using it for about 3 days and my skin is beginning to look soft and smooth like normal people's skin. Here is a link of 101 ways to use coconut oil; check out #4, #10, #25, #51, #58 all about the skin.

http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/

FOOD LOG:

I've been eating like crap lately, I blame my hormones! Haha, well it's more like I eat one really good meal (lots of veggies) then I'll eat a bad meal (fried foods, breads, fast food) I guess I didn't notice how bad I ate till starting this log. The good thing is I'm making a conscious effort to get veggies and fruits everyday. It's hard!! But I'm trying ...

Omelet (1/2 egg whites)

Green Mix (spinach & romaine)

Tri peppers

organic turkey

Tomato

Avocado

1 coffee with stevia

Turkey & Cheese Sandwich on wheat

Green Mix

Tortilla Chips with salsa

Whataburger (chicken melt)

Fries

Chocolate Shake (sooo bad, but soooo good!)

2 c women's tea with honey

SKIN CARE: AM

Alba Botanical Gentle Acne Wash w/ Clarasonic

Dickinson's Witch Hazel

Coconut Oil

PCA SPF 30

PM:

Alba Botanical Gentle Acne Wash w/ Clarasonic 2x to take make up off

Dickinson's Witch Hazel

Coconut Oil

EyeExcellence

Congrats!! Your skin is looking great! love your log!